Dayton’s 42 homicides in 2016 matches high this century

EARLIER: June was one of Dayton’s deadliest months

Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl said there were a total of 46 homicides in Dayton, but that four already have been ruled justifiable. Biehl said three more could get that distinction when the cases are closed, and only the criminal homicides are recorded as official year-end totals.

Biehl also said 37 of 46 homicides (80 percent) have been cleared by his department, a higher rate than usual. He also said all but four homicides involved guns in 2016. In 2015, 10 of the 29 homicides didn’t involve firearms.